RelapsingFeverBorrelien

Relapsing Fever Borrelien refers to a group of spirochete bacteria belonging to the genus Borrelia that cause relapsing fever. These bacteria are obligate parasites transmitted by arthropod vectors, primarily ticks (in the case of tick-borne relapsing fever, TBRF) and lice (in the case of louse-borne relapsing fever, LBRF). The characteristic feature of these infections is the recurrent episodes of fever, separated by afebrile periods.

Borrelia species are typically slender, spiral-shaped microorganisms that are motile due to periplasmic flagella. They are difficult to culture in vitro and are often diagnosed through microscopic examination of blood smears, serological tests, or molecular methods like PCR. The clinical presentation of relapsing fever can vary, but common symptoms include abrupt onset of high fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pain, and sometimes rash.

Tick-borne relapsing fever is caused by various Borrelia species, with Borrelia recurrentis being the primary cause of louse-borne relapsing fever. Geographic distribution of these diseases is widespread, with TBRF found in many parts of the world, while LBRF is more historically associated with epidemics in crowded and unsanitary conditions. Treatment typically involves antibiotics such as tetracyclines or macrolides. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent complications.